What Plants Can Be Used in Place of a Blue Chip Juniper?

"Siberian Cypress"

• Microbiota decussate, commonly known as "Siberian Cypress," grows only a foot tall and spreads up to 6 feet at maturity. Tolerant of both full sun and part shade, "Siberian Cypress" can thrive in nutrient rich soils as well as poor, depleted soils. "Siberian Cypress" can handle wind and other drying conditions and is less subject to disease than "Blue Chip" juniper. Also an evergreen plant, the foliage of the "Siberian Cypress" turns bronze in the winter months before returning to green in spring.

Taxus baccata "Repandens"

• Taxus baccata"'Repandens" is a dwarf, spreading conifer hardy in USDA planting zones 5 through 7. Taxus baccata has a profile similar to that of the "Blue Chip" juniper, reaching only 12 to 18 inches in height and spreading up to 5 feet wide. Taxus baccata "Repandens" displays dark green needles year round and requires full sun to part shade.

"Green Carpet" Korean Fir

• "Green Carpet" Korean fir is a low-growing, dense conifer hardy to USDA zones 5 through 8. It is suitable as an evergreen ground cover to replace "Blue Chip" juniper, reaching only 2 feet high at maturity and spreading 6 feet or more. Plant "Green Carpet" Korean fir in full sun. Female "Green Carpet" plants display erect cones in an uncommon purple-blue tone.

Picea pungens "Glauca Prostrata"

• Picea pungens cultivar "Glauca Prostrata" is a Colorado spruce that grows in a prostrate form. Hardy to USDA zones 3 through 7, this ground cover conifer grows to 1 to 2 feet tall and can spread anywhere from 6 to 10 feet wide. This low-maintenance conifer requires full sun and a medium amount of moisture to thrive.